A game bar is a place where people can relax, order food and drinks and play a game they like alone or with an opponent.
The selection of games can be varied, from board games to game consoles. Such venues are in high demand among visitors, but they are not enough…
With little competition, opening a gaming bar is a successful project.
However, to implement a promising project, you need to develop a detailed plan and take into account all the criteria.
1. Concept and format
The concept includes the establishment’s menu, corporate identity, interior design and service – all this should work for the overall idea. Think about how the venue should look, in as much detail as possible: how much space will be needed for the kitchen, bar area, tables and chairs to comfortably accommodate all guests.
The arcade is the calling card of the bar, so it’s important to think about what games to offer:
1) arcade games – fast-paced entertainment;
2) online shooters or “shooting games”;
3) gambling games (online casino player clubs https://onlinecasinozonder.com/cruks/).
During the game, visitors may want a snack or a drink – it’s a refill for the cash register. Example menu:
– hot and cold sandwiches;
– light salads;
– sweets and snacks;
– soft drinks and alcohol.
It is worth making a menu or price list with pricing in good condition, printed on a colour printer, for the convenience of guests.
2. Business plan
A business plan for a bar is the first thing an entrepreneur should do to calculate costs and profits, make plans and stay within budget.
A checklist of basic needs:
1) premises (renovation/rental/purchase);
2) furniture set (bar counter, tables, chairs);
3) utilities;
4) staff salaries;
5) Internet service provider;
6) supply of beverages and foodstuffs;
7) licensed software;
8) computer club management system (booking of gaming seats, game updates).
Next, decide on your target audience:
– Who your customers are and what to entice them with;
– what features your bar has in comparison with competitors;
– who your competitors are and how you differ from them.
The bar should be in a good location where your target audience can frequent. A good location is a place where there are masses of people and where cars drive. Of course, you can also focus on a beautiful location somewhere outside the city, but it is better not to take any chances unless you are talking about an established brand.
In addition to the location, consider what is nearby: for example, if there is a popular gambling club nearby, choose a different location, as it is not certain that you will be able to cope with the competition.
Before opening, it is better to draw up development plans for the future, indicating costs, profits and improvements. Constant analysis is the key to success and prosperity!
Periodically conduct interesting promotions, competitions, discounts to interest new players. You can also organise planned and festive tournaments and social events.
3. Licence and permit
Before setting up business, it is important to know about and arrange all documents so that unannounced inspections by organisations will not affect the company’s reputation.
The first requirement is to plan the premises in accordance with safety regulations and to have them inspected by the fire brigade. And if you plan to serve drinks and food, the premises must comply with health and safety regulations.
Other documents required for operation are:
1) a licence to sell alcohol and impose a restriction on goods for underage persons;
2) a gambling licence;
3) property insurance, etc.
4. Equipment
Buy everything you need for your business: computers, gaming headsets (headphones, helmet), etc. Hardware needs to run on certified software.
You should not buy the most powerful and up-to-date CPs of the latest model, as they are expensive and the technology wears out quickly. It is also worth bearing in mind the possible risks of premature failure: careless attitude of the client towards the equipment, accidentally spilled drinks on the equipment etc.
The optimal choice is a medium-quality model that meets the needs of the target audience.
There is always a risk that computers may break down, so it is better to have a spare model or accessories for replacement. According to statistics, hardware has to be renewed every 2-4 years, while peripherals (headphones, mice, mousepads) much more often.
5. Hire staff
One person is definitely not enough to serve guests and prepare meals, so hire helpers: bartenders, waiters, receptionists, cooks and other staff – the number of people depends on the popularity of the club and the workload.
It may also be worth hiring a technician to check, diagnose and upgrade equipment.
Of course, all staff should work officially, in accordance with employment legislation.
6. Advertising
To know how your bar differs from your competitors, get to know their services, equipment, prices, discount system and even the comfort of the chairs for gamers. Analyse the information you receive and highlight the main advantages – this is important so that you can use the information to advertise your services later on. You can advertise the bar, but not the alcoholic beverages.
The most proven way to reach a large audience from a distance is to use a marketing tool. The professional places online: contextual advertising (search engines), pop-up banners, text ads or videos about the bar. The staff member then sets up display ads to segment the target audience.
Creating a group or social media page, a permanent advertising format, is not unreasonable. Network users can see regular posts about the bar or services (food, drinks, games) – interesting information helps the audience remember about the company. The final touch is to create your own website. The platform increases visitors’ confidence about the brand and serves other functions:
– publishing company information and menus with prices;
– access to news and promotions;
– access to a helpdesk to get in touch with advisors.
So, opening a bar is not an easy task, but if you plan well and put in the effort, the business will be very profitable!